Method of preparation of trifluoromethyl copper and trifluoromethyl aromatics

ABSTRACT

The process of direct synthesis of trifluoromethyl copper and trifluoromethyl aromatics, both intermediate reagents useful in direct synthesis of certain perfluoroalkyl compounds. The process involves a direct reaction between on the one hand an aromatic halide and a difluorodihalomethane and on the other hand copper and a difluorodihalomethane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 004,035 filed on Jan. 16, 1987 which is a continuation-in-part of now allowed application Ser. No. 809,291, filed Dec. 16, 1985, which itself is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,921, filed Sept. 17, 1984 and issued Apr. 15, 1986.

Many organic compounds containing the trifluoromethyl group are extremely valuable compounds, useful in a variety of ways. For example, many agricultural chemicals which are herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides, contain the trifluoromethyl group attached to an aromatic ring. Perhaps one of the more famous is a herbicide sold under the trademark TREFLAN®. In addition, some well-known solvents have the trifluoromethyl moiety, as well as certain valuable chemical intermediates. In sum, there is a very real and continuing need for cheap, inexpensive and economic ways of introducing the trifluoromethyl group into both pharmaceutically active and agricultural chemically active compounds.

In the past, the synthetic routes for such compounds have been laborious. In particular, fluorinating agents used to prepare trifluoromethyl containing compounds have all been a compound which in fact already contained the trifluoromethyl group such as trifluromethyl iodide, and bis(trifluromethyl)mercury. These compounds are expensive, and not readily commercially available.

Contrasted with the expensive and difficult methods to obtain trifluoromethyl compounds, there are many cheap, commercially available diflurodihalomethanes, such as CF₂ Cl₂, CF₂ BrCl, and CF₂ Br₂. However, no one has heretofore ever been able to achieve a direct synthesis of a trifluoromethyl organo metallic from a difluorodihalo methane compound.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallics from commercially available difluorodihalomethanes, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, chlorobromodifluoromethane, and dibromodifluoromethane.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organocadmium and zinc compounds from difluorodihalomethanes in a direct single step synthesis.

An even further objective of the present invention is to prepare stable trifluoromethyl copper reagents which are useful in further synthesis reactions to allow introduction of trifluoromethyl groups to other compounds.

A further objective of the invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallic compounds of cadmium and zinc and copper which can be conveniently used to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety to an olefinic derivative.

A further objective of the present invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallic compounds of cadmium and zinc and copper which can be conveniently used to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety into an aromatic compound.

A further objective of the present invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallic compounds of cadmium and zinc and copper which can be conveniently used to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety to an unsaturated organic compound, such as an acetylenic or an allylic compound.

A further objective of the present invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallic compounds of cadmium and zinc and copper which can be conveniently used to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety to an acyl derivative.

A further objective of the present invention is to prepare trifluoromethyl organometallic compounds of cadmium and zinc and copper which can be conveniently used to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety for the preparation of other trifluoromethyl organometallics via metathesis reactions.

A still further objective is to prepare either directly or indirectly, perfluoroalkyl organometallic compounds of copper and other transition metals which can then be conventiently used to introduce a perfluoroalkyl group into an organic compound.

The method and manner of accomplishing each of the above objectives will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which will follow hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A process of preparing trifluoromethyl aromatics of the formula Ar(CF₂)_(n) CF₃ from a difluorodihalomethane of the formula CF₂ XY is described. The process involves a direct reaction between the aromatic halide and a difluorodihalomethane with copper to provide a trifluoromethyl aromatic.

In another embodiment the reaction involves reacting copper and a difluorodihalomethane to provide a perfluoroalkyl copper reagent. These compounds are useful in a wide variety of synthetic reactions to introduce the trifluoromethyl moiety to the desired positions upon aromatics, such as aromatic halides, olefins, particularly halo olefins and acetylenic and allylic unsaturted compounds, and acyl derivatives as well. In a preferred process, the reaction is conducted in the presence of dimethylformamide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the broadest aspect of this invention which involves preparing trifluoromethyl organo cadmium and zinc compounds, a compound of the formula CF₂ XY, wherein X and Y are halogens, is reacted preferably with a metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium and zinc to provide a trifluoromethyl metal halide. X and Y may be the same or different, and are selected from the group of chlorine, bromine and iodine. Suitable compounds of this class include dichlorodifluoromethane, dibromodifluoromethane, and bromochlorodifluoromethane. The compound is reacted preferably with cadmium or zinc in order to provide stable compounds in a direct synthetic reaction represented by the following equation: ##STR1## X=Br, Cl, I X=Br, Cl, I

DMF=Dimethylformamide

The abbreviation "DMF" refers to dimethylformamide. It is currently not believed that dimethylformamide is critical, but the reaction must be conducted in the presence of an aprotic solvent since the cadmium reagent is hydrolyzed by water. Amongst those known to be suitable are dimethylformide which is strongly preferred, methyl formamide, acetonitrile, and N-methylpyrolidine, and dimethylsulfide. The reaction is direct and will allow preparation in yields of 90-95% of the trifluoromethyl cadmium or zinc reagent. The reaction with the cadmium is faster than with zinc and at times is over in as little as a few minutes at room temperature. The reaction with the zinc compounds may take somewhat longer, and in the past has been run from time to time of from between eight and ten hours at 60° C.-70° C. Thus, in summary, the reaction will occur at temperatures ranging from about room temperature up to about 75° C., preferably for the zinc reaction from about 50° C. to about 75° C., and for the cadmium reaction may be at any temperature from room temperature up to about 75° C. The reaction time will run from a few minutes to a few hours. The trifluoromethyl cadmium or zinc reagent is stable and can be used for a variety of syntheses as described below.

The trifluoromethyl cadmium or zinc reagent prepared in accordance with this reaction can be used in an in situ preparation for introduction of the trifluoromethyl group into a variety of compounds.

In certain instances, because of its activity, it is also desirable to prepare trifluoromethyl copper reagents of the formula CF₃ Cu. It is possible to prepare trifluoromethyl copper directly from the reaction of difluorodihalomethanes and copper; however, the CF₃ Cu undergoes chain elongation to form longer chain perfluoroalkyl copper reagents, unless the trifluoromethyl copper is trapped in situ. However, the cadmium and zinc reagents can be converted to a stable CF₃ Cu, which itself is useful for trifluoromethylation. The trifluoromethyl cadmium or zinc reagent is reacted with a copper salt of the formula CuZ, wherein Z represents any solvent soluble anion which may be selected from, for example, the group of nitrate, phosphate, halides, including bromide, chloride and iodide, sulfate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, cyanide and the like. It is not critical what the anion is, only that it be solvent soluble for ease of introduction of the organo-copper into the reaction system. Again, the reaction should be conducted in the presence of an aprotic solvent and in fact may be conducted in situ in the same reaction vessel as the earlier preparation of the trifluoromethyl cadmium or zinc reagent.

Since the copper trifluoromethyl reagent can have stability problems in its preparation, it is desirable to run this reaction at temperatures of less than 0° C. A flask cooled with dry ice - isopropyl alcohol has been found to be satisfactory, with temperatures ranging from about 0° C. to -70° C. Ideally, temperatures within the range of -40° C. to -70° C. have been found satisfactory.

The preparation of trifluoromethyl aromatics is illustrated in Example 12 below. The preparation of perfluoroalkyl copper reagent is demonstrated in Example 13 below. In the formula: Ar(CF₂)_(n) CF₃, n represents the number of difluoromethyl groups and may be from 0-20, but preferably it is from 6-8. Likewise, as illustrated in Example 13 the formula: CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Cu, n represents the same numbers, that is generally from 0-20, but preferably from about 6 to about 8.

Examples 17 and 18, shown below, also illustrate the preparation of copper perfluoroalkyl reagents (Example 17) and preparation of trifluoromethyl aromatics (Example 17 and in particular preparation of trifluoromethyl benzene, Example 18).

Other trifluoromethyl or perfluoroalkyl organometallics such as the trifluoromethyl tin reagent can be prepared via an analogous reaction of the difluorodihalomethanes directly with the metal. In addition, other trifluoromethyl organometallics such as palladium, rhodium, platinum, gold, cobalt, mercury or silver can be prepared by the indirect metathesis reaction of the appropriate metal salt with the trifluoromethyl cadmium reagent.

As heretofore stated, tifluoromethyl compounds have been generally prepared by substitution of fluorine for halogens such as bromine, chlorine, and iodine. Now, for the first time, they are available from a direct synthetic route from cheap and available difluorodihalomethanes.

The prepared trifluoromethyl reagent may be reacted in situ in many reactions in order to introduce the trifluoromethyl group into an aromatic ring, into an olefin at the point of unsaturation, or into an acetylenically or allylically unsaturated compound, or into an acyl derivative. The number of reactions which can be performed are almost limitless, but generally lower aromatics, lower C₂ to C₁₂ olefins, particularly halo olefins, and lower C₂ to C₁₂ acetylenically or allylically unsaturated compounds, and acyl derivatives can be conveniently used. All are illustrated in the examples. The following examples are offered to further illustrate, but not necessarily limit the process and products of this invention.

EXAMPLE 1 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL CADMIUM FROM DIBROMODIFLUOROMETHANE

A three-neck 250 ml round bottom flask equipped with stopper, septum, magnetic stirbar and nitrogen tee was charged with 50 ml DMF and 22.4g(0.2 moles) activated cadmium. The CF₂ Br₂ (9.1 ml, 0.1 moles) was added via a pre-cooled syringe. An exothermic reaction occurred and the solution turned dark brown. The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at room temperature, then filtered through a medium-fritted schlenk funnel under nitrogen. The precipitate (CdBr₂) was washed with 10-15 ml DMF. The resulting filtrate was utilized in subsequent reactions. Typical yields of CF₃ CdX were 90-95% based on 2 moles of the methane being converted to 1 mole of cadmium reagent.

EXAMPLE 2 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL CADMIUM FROM BROMOCHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE

The CF.sub. 2BrCl was measured into a 15 ml graduated tube via a dry ice/IPA condenser (8.6 ml, 0.10 moles). Phosphorous pentoxide was added to the methane. The CF₂ BrCl was transferred to a similarly equipped flask as above except a dry ice/IPA condenser was added. The resulting exothermic reaction yields a dark brown solution which was filtered and washed as before. Typical yields were 90-95%.

EXAMPLE 3 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL CADMIUM FROM DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE

A 300 ml sealed tube was charged with Cd(22.4g, 0.20 mole), CF₂ CL₂ (8.1 ml, 0.10 mole) and 50 ml DMF. The reaction tube was heated to 80° C. for 24 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was pressure filtered through a medium fritted schlenk funnel and the precipitate was washed with 10-15 ml DMF.

EXAMPLE 4 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL COPPER FROM THE TRIFLUOROMETHYL CADMIUM SOLUTION PREPARED FROM CF₂ BrCl

The reaction mixture containing CF₃ CdX prepared previously was cooled to -70° C. with a dry ice/IPA bath. Cuprous bromide (7.2g, 0.05 moles) was added to the cooled flask and warmed slightly (-50° C.) for efficient stirring. The reaction mixture was used at this temperature in subsequent reactions. At higher temperatures the CF₃ Cu decomposes. Typical yields for CF₃ Cu (based on CF₃ Cd) are 90-95%.

EXAMPLE 5 UTILIZATION OF THE TRIFLUOROMETHYL COPPER SOLUTION WITH ALLYLIC HALIDES Typical procedures:

The CF₃ Cu solution was cooled to -70° C. and the allyl halide (0.03 moles) was added. The solution was slowly warmed to room temperature. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 2-4 hours, steam distillation followed by fractional distillation resulted in isolated yields of 50-75%.

EXAMPLE 6 FORMATION OF CF₃ X; X=I, D

Typical procedure:

The solution containing CF₃ CdBr is cooled to 0° C. with an ice bath and I₂ or D₂ O is slowly added. Flash distillation followed by trap to trap distillation resulted in CF₃ I (24%) and CF₃ D (34%).

EXAMPLE 7 FORMATION OF CF₃ Ar

The solution containing the cadmium reagent was utilized. An equal volume of HMPA (Hexamethylphosphoramide) was added to the cadmium reagent solution. Cuprous bromide (7.2g, 0.05 moles) was added at room temperature. The aromatic compound (0.020 moles) was added to the solution and was heated to 60°-70° C. for four hours. The reaction mixture was steam distilled, the organic layer separated and fractionally distilled. Typical yields (based on aromatic halide) were 60-80%.

EXAMPLE 8 FORMATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYLATED OLEFINS

Typical procedure:

The solution containing the copper reagent at -70° C. was utilized in the formation of trifluoromethylated olefins. The vinyl halide was added to the copper reagent at -70° and slowly allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction mixture was flash distilled. The flash distillate was washed with water and the organic layer separated. The olefin was fractionally distilled. Typical yields (based on vinyl halide) were 40-69%.

EXAMPLE 9 PREPARATION OF PERFLUOROETHYL COPPER FROM TRIFLUOROMETHYLCOPPER

The copper reagent prepared at -70° C. was slowly allowed to warm to room temperature. Perfluoroethyl copper was obtained in 90% yield based on trifluoromethyl copper. A solution of I₂ in DMF was added to the ethyl copper reagent. The reaction mixture was flash distilled followed by trap to trap distillation resulted in a 65% isolated yield of perfluoroethyl iodide.

EXAMPLE 10 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL ZINC FROM BROMOCHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE

A three-necked 100 ml round bottomed flask, equipped with a dry ice/IPA condenser, magnetic stirbar, septum and stopper was charged with 50 ml of DMF and activated zinc (6.3g, 0.10 moles). The methane (8.6 ml, 0.05 moles) was added via the dry ice/IPA condenser and the solution was heated for 8-10 hours at 65°-70° C. The resulting solution was filtered through a medium-fritted schlenk funnel. The yield of the trifluoromethyl zinc was 50-60% based on starting methane.

EXAMPLE 11 FORMATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL KETONES FROM THE TRIFLUOROMETHYL ZINC

The trifluoromethyl zinc reagent was cooled to -20°-(-30° C.) and the acid chloride was added. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and allowed to stir overnight. Flash distillation followed by addition of water and separation of the organic layer gave a yield (40%) of the trifluoromethylated ketone.

EXAMPLE 12

    ______________________________________                                         PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL AROMATICS                                       ______________________________________                                         Cu + CF.sub.2 BrX + ArI                                                                         Ar (CF.sub.2).sub.n CF.sub.3                                  (X = Cl, Br)                                                                   Materials:                                                                     Cu       1.91 g. (30 mmoles)                                                   CF.sub.2 BrX                                                                            0.91 ml (X = Br), 0.86 ml (X = Cl) (10 mmoles)                        ArI      5 mmoles                                                              Dimethylformamide (DMF) 10 ml.                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Procedure:

The copper metal was weighed into a 25 ml. round bottom flask which was equipped with a septum. A dry ice/acetone condenser was placed on the flask and the apparatus was maintained under nitrogen atmosphere. DMF, aromatic iodide and CF₂ BrX were added to the flask. The reaction mixture was stirred and heated with an oil bath until it appeared that all of the copper metal has been converted to copper halide.

Yields (¹⁹ F-NMR) are usually greater than 60%, based upon the amount of aromatic iodide converted to perfluoroalkyl aromatics. A mixture of perfluoroalkyl aromatics was generally obtained, although the trifluoromethylated aromatic is the major product. The highest proportion of the trifluoromethyl product was obtained utilizing CF₂ BrCl at a temperature of 85° C.

The chain extension can be suppressed by the addition of any fluoride ion (CsF, KF) and other soluble fluoride salts such as Groups I and II metals. It may also be possible to use any other fluoride ion source. This gave mixtures with much larger proportions of the trifluoromethylated aromatic compound. Less copper metal was consumed, although the reaction time was longer.

EXAMPLE 13

    ______________________________________                                         PREPARATION OF PERFLUOROALKYL COPPER                                           REAGENTS                                                                        ##STR2##                                                                      Materials:                                                                     ______________________________________                                         Cu                 1.91 g. (30 mmoles)                                         CF.sub.2 BrX       0.91 ml (X = Br), 0.86 ml                                                      (X = Cl), (10 mmole)                                        Dimethylformamide (DMF)                                                                           10 ml.                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Procedure:

The finely divided copper metal was weighed into a 25 ml round bottom flask which was equipped with a septum. A dry ice/acetone condenser was placed on the flask and the apparatus was equipped with an oil bubbler and maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere. DMF and CF₂ BrX were added to the flask. The reaction mixture was stirred and heated with an oil bath until it appeared that all of the copper metal has been converted to copper halide.

Typical yields (¹⁹ F-NMR) are around 60%. The products obtained were a mixture of perfluoroalkyl copper reagents. The chain lengths ranged from 2 to 17 carbons (detected by GC/MS), but the major products were F-ethyl, F-propyl and F-butyl copper. The product distribution was a function of temperature and X. The best proportions of F-ethyl copper (˜80%) was obtained using CF₂ BrCl and 70° C. Using CF.sub. 2Br₂ at 80° C. gives the product distribution with the highest proportion of F-butyl copper and higher homologous copper reagents (˜80%).

EXAMPLE 14 PREPARATION OF PERFLUOROETHYL AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

The perfluoroethyl copper was prepared as previously described. An aromatic iodide was added to this solution and heated to 60°-70° C. for four to six hours. After the reaction was complete, the reaction mixture was steam distilled. The organic and aqueous layers were separated and the aqueous layer extracted with (3×20 ml) pentane. The pentane layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The pentane was either distilled or removed under reduced pressure depending on the property of the product.

EXAMPLE 15 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL TIN HALIDE

A three-neck 50 ml round bottom flask equipped with stopper, septum, magnetic stirbar and nitrogen tee was charged with 20 ml DMF and 11.9 g (0.1 mole) Sn. The CF₂ Br₂ (4.6 ml, 0.05 mole) was added via precooled syringe. An exothermic reaction occurred and the reaction mixture turned dark brown. Subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of (CF₃)_(n) Sn X, wherein n=1-4 or in other words, (CF₃) SnX₃, (CF₃)₂ SnX₂, (CF₃)₃ SnX, (CF₃)₄ Sn.

EXAMPLE 16 PREPARATION OF VARIOUS ORGANOMETALLICS FROM CF₃ CdX

A solution of CF₃ CdX in DMF was reacted with each of the following metal halide complexes to yield the corresponding trifluoromethyl organometallic derivative. ##STR3##

EXAMPLE 17 PREPARATION OF CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Cu AND CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Ar

Copper (1.91 g, 0.030 moles) was added to a 25 ml round bottom flask fitted with a rubber septum and magnetic stir bar. The flask was attached to a Dry/Ice isopropyl alcohol condenser. DMF (10 ml) was added to the flask followed by the addition of CF₂ BrCl (1 ml, 0.010 moles). The reaction mixture was heated to 65° to 105° C. until the CF₂ BrCl was consumed. .sup. 19F NMR analysis indicated the presence of CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Cu, where n=1,2,3 etc . . .

The cooled reaction mixture was filtered through a medium frit Schlenk funnel into a dry round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar and water condenser. Iodobenzene (equivalent to the amount of perfluoroalkyl copper reagents calculated by .sup. 19F NMR as indicated above) was added and the reaction mixture was then heated to 100° C. for two hours. Steam distillation of the reaction mixture yielded perfluoroalkyl benzenes as a lower organic layer. The relative ratios of these perfluoroalkyl benzenes were determined by GC/MS and a series of CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) C₆ H₅ (where n=0-14) were found. The value of n and the amount of each perfluoroalkyl benzene derivative depended on the temperature and the CF₂ XY precursor utilized.

EXAMPLE 18 PREPARATION OF TRIFLUOROMETHYL BENZENE

A 300 ml Hastelloy C Parr bomb was charged with 25.42 g (0.40 mole) of copper-bronze; DMF (200 mls), iodobenzene (20.62 g, 0.10 mole); 33.1 g (0.20 mole) CF₂ BrCl; and 11.62 g (0.10 mole) of potassium fluoride (KF). The sealed bomb was heated at 95° C. for 88 hours, cooled to room temperature, the pressure released, and the contents of the bomb transferred to a 500 ml round bottom flask and steam distilled to give 16.88 g of an organic layer. GLPC analysis showed no iodobenzene. GLPC analysis indicated a ratio of trifluoromethyl benzene to other perfluoroalkyl benzenes of 90:10. The organic product was further purified by spinning band distillation to give 7.78 g (0.053 mole) of 97.9% pure (by GLPC) trifluoromethyl benzene for a 53% yield. .sup. 1H NMR exhibits a multiplet at 7.5 ppm (CDCl₃, TMS), and the ¹⁹ F NMR exhibits a singlet at -63.2 ppm (CDCl.sub. 3, CFCl₃). IR Spectrum: 3060 cm⁻¹ (w), 1320 cm⁻¹ (s), 1125 cm⁻ 1 (s), 1068 cm⁻¹ (m), 1025 cm⁻¹ (w), 765 cm⁻¹ (w).

As illustrated in the examples, and in particular in Examples 12 and 18, potassium fluoride addition suppresses chain growth, leaving the formation of the trifluoromethyl aromatics as opposed to the formation of perfluoroalkyl copper reagent such as in Example 13. The chain suppression by the addition of the fluoride ion can be accomplished with any soluble fluoride, but it is particularly preferred that it be selected from cesium fluoride and potassium fluoride. The amount of fluoride used is preferably an equimolar amount with the aromatic iodide, but may vary from about 0.5 moles per mole of aromatic iodide to about 1.5 times the molar amount of aromatic iodide. It is preferably equimolar. As seen in Example 17, where there is no chain suppression, the product formed may be a mixture of perfluoroalkyl aromatics and trifluoromethylated aromatic.

It thus can be seen that the invention accomplishes as least all of its stated objectives. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preparing perfluoroalkyl copper reagents of the formula CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Cu, said method comprising: reacting copper and a difluorodihalomethane of the formula CF₂ XY wherein X and Y are halogens to provide perfluoroalkyl copper reagent of the formula CF₃ (CF₂)_(n) Cu wherein n is from 0 to
 20. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein n is from 6 to
 8. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein said process is conducted in the presence of a solvent.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said process is conducted in the presence of dimethylformamide.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein Y is bromide and X is selected from the group consisting of chloride and bromide. 